The
goals of this collaborative program are to (1) establish alliances
with investigators from Texas A&M University and Prairie View
A&M University, (2) establish new relationships between the
universities and community partners such as the Community Partnership
Board and the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency and to link
them with the research teams, and (3) develop research projects
that focus on health disparities.
One project established as part of this collaboration is an evidence-based
self-management intervention program for patients living with
diabetes. The long-term goal is to decrease morbidity and mortality
related to type-2 diabetes. To accomplish this goal, the project
seeks to increase patients' confidence in their ability to manage
their diabetes, increase the practice of self-management behaviors
related to diabetes and improve patients' clinical outcomes.
The intervention is comprised of scheduled individual educational
sessions based on the needs of each client, educational sessions
as part of coordinated visits with the health care provider, and
group educational sessions. Another key component of the intervention
is follow-up phone calls to assess progress toward self-management
goals, answer questions, provide support and schedule follow-up
appointments.
